A prayer from 1940s era for Veterans Day

Published: Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012 1:15 a.m. CST

By Ricky and Diane Smith Dixon

We found the following prayer in one of the books we inherited from Beverly “Bea” Smith of Sterling (Ricky’s mother). The prayer was given to Bea during the time her husband served in the Navy during World War II.

We are almost sure some wives, girlfriends and families will feel the way we did when we read these words. They really touched our hearts, and we would like to share them in remembrance of Veterans Day.

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A Prayer to the

Wartime Lonely

Dear Father, be with me this lonely day. For in my dreams, a clear face bends over me. And I feel the thrill of loving arms. And when I awake, I live over all the hours with him until he went away.

I have given much, Father. I have given the hands that held my hands. I have given the lips that were mine alone. I have given the heart that made my heart thrill. These I have given. But I have loved enough to let him go. The slow weeks pass, Father, and I am lonely – lonely.

Dear Lord, be a messenger to him through all the miles that lie between us. Tell him that I walk among dear, remembered things – that I whisper my love in the stillness of the night.

And tell him that my love shall be like a guiding star which shall keep him safe and true among all the dangers and temptations which lie in wait for the fighting men and lonely men.